April Birthdays 
This is my 2nd NGD, in a short space of time. Well I'd sold some gear and if I don't spend the cash quickly, someone else will.
The Sergio Vallin Signature Guitar, is based on the strat design but for a starter, the body is offset.
It kind of reminds me of the old 60s Hofner Galaxie.
Also, they've put, what looks like, a Jaguar bridge plate, under the bridge and tremolo.
The pickups are in the HSS layout.
But instead of a 5-way switch, you get a 5-way knob.
And you can't have the middle pickup, on it's own.
Oh no! I'm a middle pickup man.
Where you might expect to access the middle pickup, in the 5-way's middle position, you actually get the bridge and neck pickup, together.
In phase, thank God.
And, as it turns out, this is my favourite setting.
It sounds bloody brilliant.
Overall the pickups are reasonably hot.
Clear and punchy.
Spot on really.
The only other knob, controls the volume.
You do get some very nice extras, with this model.
The 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles, locking tuners and locking strap buttons.
The first 2 are great additions, on a guitar at this price, IMO.
One thing you don't get, is a back plate, to cover the tremolo's workings.
I think it's a naff idea and I'm thinking of putting one on.
Apparently PRS did it on one of their Santana models.
Nah! I don't like it.
With it's Hot Rod Red paint job, tortoiseshell pick guard, black pickups, 2 knob control plate and under bridge, signature plate, I think the Sergio Vallin looks pretty cool.
As soon as I got home, I replaced the 9s on it, with 10s (Elixirs).
These pulled up the trem, so no back plate came in handy, to re-adjust the trem springs.
Those 10s really were icing on the cake.
With full surf settings on, on my amp, this beauty sounded awesome.
Really strong and vibrant.
The neck is very nice, especially the fretboard.
The 2-point trem is very useable.
OK, not as smooth as my Albert Lee but not much is.
Everything stays in tune too, which is a real boon.
Helped by those locking tuners, that also make re-stringing, a doddle.
This is a Mexican built guitar and they've done a good job.
Now I've set it up how I like it, this is some guitar.
Kind of offbeat cool, with a tough edge.
A very good player that sounds like it looks.
Really worth a look.
